Consumers CU supports PLAN of Lake County. Consumers Credit Union (CCU) recently donated $3,000.00 in support of the People Lending Assistance Network (PLAN). A not-for-profit organization, PLAN provides food, clothing, appliances, education and job assistance to individuals and families. Its primary commitment is serving the central Lake County area, relying almost exclusively on donations to fund operations and stock their shelves. Founded in June of 2007 under the leadership of a director, the organization is run entirely by local resident volunteers who choose to help others in need. Volunteers for the organization range from retired military personnel, adult volunteers and local students, many from area churches. PLAN provides extremely efficient services to those in need five days a week. For example, each dollar donated to PLAN purchases nine pounds of food through the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

CUNA Management School names 75 grads, including four from Illinois. Credit Union National Association (CUNA) recently announced the newest graduates of its Management School, including: Mandi Haynes, CCUE, Streator Onized CU; Sanetta Jackson, CCUE, St Mark CU; Christopher Phillips, CCUE, Land of Lincoln Credit Union (high honors); and Gregory Thede, CCUE, Deere Employees CU. CUNA Management School consists of a three-year course of study. Students receive advanced academic training with practical, real-world applications designed specifically for credit union management personnel who aspire to achieve senior-level management and leadership positions in the credit union system. About 4,900 men and women have graduated from the program since its inception in 1954. A graduation diploma is issued in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Business and is recognized throughout the credit union movement as an honor and mark of accomplishment.

GCS CU donates to Big Brothers Big Sisters. GCS Credit Union recently donated 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Southwestern Illinois. GCS and Radio Disney AM1260 teamed up to donate the backpacks for the third year in a row. All backpacks will be distributed by Big Brothers Big Sisters to the local children they serve. In addition, GCS employees raised $925 through jean days to help BBBS purchase additional supplies for the children. Big Brothers Big Sisters individual mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face. The mission of BBBS is “to provide a mentor for every child in Southwestern Illinois who wants and needs one.” For more information, log on to www.bbbsil.org.

Heritage Credit Union now accepting applications for small grants. The Richard J. McGrath Endowment Fund was created in 2007 to provide small grants for local social organizations in the communities served by Heritage Credit Union. Last year, over $8,000 was awarded to 23 deserving community groups. Recipients included food pantries, senior citizen organizations and community improvement groups. Applications are accepted from July 1 to August 31 each year.

Land of Lincoln CU, Caterpillar, Inc. present Birdies Fore a Cause gift. Caterpillar, Inc. and Land of Lincoln Credit Union in conjunction with the Tate & Lyle Players Championship presented the inaugural Birdies Fore a Cause Gift to two local organizations. Both companies donated one dollar for every birdie shot by Symetra tour players during the 2012 Tate & Lyle Players Championship. Caterpillar, Inc. chose Partners in Education as their beneficiary, and Land of Lincoln Credit Union elected to give to Heritage Behavior Health, as both organizations were an integral part of the tournament’s success. The check presentations, including $882 by Land of Lincoln CU, took place July 17 at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur. The Tate & Lyle Players Championship is the longest running tournament on the LPGA Symetra Tour.

MyMoneyAppUp Challenge announced. The U.S. Department of Treasury, The D2D Fund, and The Center for Financial Services Innovation recently launched the MyMoneyAppUp Challenge, a contest intended to motivate American entrepreneurs, software developers, the public, and students to propose the best ideas and designs for next-generation mobile tools to help Americans control and shape their financial futures. So far, nearly 600 individuals are following the Challenge and the IdeaBank. More than 130 ideas and numerous App Designs have been submitted. If your credit union has a money-related mobile app idea that could impact the financial lives of Americans, submit a design proposal. You could win the $10,000 Grand Prize, one of two $5,000 runner-up prizes, or one of two $2,500 honorable mentions! Submissions are due August 12, 2012.

North Side offers August community workshops. North Side Community Federal Credit Union is encouraging the community to end their summer right by attending the last of its summer workshops. They will include: Marketing Your Small Business on August 13; Homebuyers Orientation, August 21; First Time Homebuyers Training, August 25; and Basics of Credit Building, August 22. Homebuyers Workshops will also be offered in Spanish every other month.

Rock Valley Credit Union awards two scholarships. Rock Valley Credit Union recently established a scholarship fund for two graduating high school seniors. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the fall, following graduation from the 2011/2012 school year at a technical, two-year or four-year college or university and working toward a degree. The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be a member of Rock Valley Credit Union at the time of application. Among other criteria, the winning applicants wrote an essay based on if they feel the credit union difference plays an impact when someone is selecting their financial institution, and with so many financial options available today, what they believe drives a person to select a financial institution over another. Rock Valley Credit Union offers products and services for young adults going away to college with free Checking, over 28,000 surcharge free ATMs nationwide, over 4,800 shared branch location, free mobile banking, on-line banking, e-Statements and a new offering of Student Choice Lending – a higher education loan product for members to take advantage of to help with financing college tuitions/fees.

Scott CU donates more than $18K to United Way. Representatives from Scott Credit Union presented a check recently for over $18,000 to Jeff Lauritzen, this year’s Campaign Vice-Chair for the Southwest Illinois Division of the United Way of St. Louis. The money was raised during Scott Credit Union’s 6th annual Golf Tournament fund raiser held in May at The Orchards Golf Course in Belleville and during a month-long employee campaign at the credit union. More than 130 golfers and dozens of area sponsors turned out for the golf event that raised $17,000. Scott Credit Union plans to hold a tournament each year to raise money for United Way. Employees of the credit union raised $1,200 during their fund-drive for United Way. The United Way funds nearly 200 health and human service agencies located throughout a 16-county area in Missouri and Illinois. More than one million people in the bi-state community receive services that strengthen families, help the elderly, keep children healthy and safe, and build stronger neighborhoods. For more information about United Way, visit their web site at www.stl.unitedway.org.

Do you have community or other news tidbits to share? Tell us! Indepth is always looking for credit union activities that we can share in this section each month. Put us on your press release distribution list or submit information to William Wille as you have it available.

Our Mission: To Serve You

We, as the financial support system of credit unions, are committed to the "people helping people" concept of credit unions as cooperative financial institutions. Our purpose is to provide credit unions with a favorable operating environment and quality information, products and services which have value, and which enable credit unions to exist, compete and prosper in the financial marketplace.